Cal is another class rider. He gets stick for crashing but anyone that’s ever raced knows how easily that’s done when dancing on the edge. Especially the edge of a bike that’s not on the same page as you he’s a race winner on a bike he struggles with like mad. A bike basically built for marquez who has a totally different style to Cal. Yamaha certainly need to do something. Their factory bike hasn’t been great for a few years now
I’m not sure if cal would. As in I don’t think he ‘needs it’. I recall watching an interview with him and him stating he doesn’t really ‘need’ to race. he earns more outside of motorsport than he does from it
So perhaps retirement beckons sooner or later then for the old soldier as he's smashed up his body so many times over the years.
Why? Kids starting school, got plenty of money, had some great rides, ex hrc employee, had some bad accidents, loves his cycling....he will be on very good money as a factory test rider and it will be a lot safer and out of the limelight no real pressure just give feedback and direction to the factory...absolute no brainer .... imagine going wsb with them monkeys knocking the hell out of him? He has nothing to prove he has already proved it where it matters on the track...it’s all about opinion but the fella has earned his money and to fellow racers I’m absolutely sure know just how good he is...I’m no fan of the person but have nothing but respect for his skill, speed, determination, straight talking, a genuine bike man....anyone else seen the r1 roadtest he did a few years back? One handed wheelie down the main road ...frustrating nearly man at times but rapid and never boring, bit of a love in with mm admittedly which was cringe but generally no creep ....he will never be known as a corporate arse licking wanker unlike most ex racers and fair play to him for that...he is still young in life probably a great husband and father so let him go cycling off into semi retirement as a very well paid test rider....he could of been a Coventry city player or a cyclist but I’m glad he went biking as he has taken stereotypical British spirit onto the niche of two wheeled motorsport ....knockers will keep knocking...however cal has given every top top motorcycle racer a race, you watch when he retires what the other riders say about him ...bet it’s praise
I'm certainly not knocking him but just tell me what he's won championship wise in the last ten plus years bike racing,with respect he's not exactly a repeater like Rossi / MM / Lawson / Doohan / Roberts / Sheene / Lorenzo / Stoner etc,etc. I want a British rider that can win titles and not put it in the kitty litter week in & week out.
Yep all about opinions fella 100% ...got a feeling patience might be required waiting for the next Brit to win in moto gp regularly infact I don’t see a Brit winning a single race for a years we should appreciate cal as a racer in my opinion, he was a top 6 rider when 4 of them were classed as aliens so basically he was one of the best of the rest despite his excursions ...look at the names that started the above paragraph absolute greats of the sport, cal not in that category but definitely one of the best of the rest below elite ....which Brit in the next say 5 years can win a moto gp race? As it stands
Not a Crutchlow fan but many don’t give him the credit due. As Leeds says above, he was the best of the second tier for quite a spell. This year has shown their is maybe only one alien at the mo, and he’s injured. If he comes back a few % less than he was, we could have quite a few seasons like this one ahead! I really think Redding could be the next big brit still in MGP. Stick him on a good factory bike and see how it goes
My opinions are based on me sitting on my toned backside in front of the box for many decades watching all forms of motoracing,I'd like to give the next available opportunity for Sam & Jake to learn and grow in this sport,but i'm not sure the perfect egg has been fertilized just yet.......who knows when we'lll get a British version of the above names mentioned.
Looks like it’s a done deal https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/948011/1/crutchlow-confirms-advanced-discussions-yamaha
May get him what he wants: still paid to do stuff on bikes and more time for his growing family. Sound like an ace card played to me
not a Cal fan and agree with most of the above, although he did seem more at one with the M1 whilst at Tech 3.
With so much talent from Europe and around the world it would be great to see a bigger effort put in by Britain! If you think Cal was James Toselands replacement !! Who have we had since? Are best prospect would and should have been Redding! We need to get younger riders into Moto 2 and Moto 3 proving ground.... We only have John Mcphee and Sam Lowes, Both quality riders and proving their skill and determination. I’m not a Crutchlow fan at all, He should have moved on years ago. Let’s face it he was only gifted his Moto GP opportunity due to his results in WSS and WSB!
He may of got the ride as a result of results in wss and wsb, but I think he justified it. He's won races which lots of good riders don't. The espargaro brothers have never won a motogp, Colin Edwards didn't
